Ben Affleck Slams 'Justice League' Reshoots as 'Low Point' of His Career

During a recent appearance on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, actor Ben Affleck candidly described the reshoots for the 2017 film "Justice League" as the definitive "low point of my career." This period was marked by significant upheaval, as Warner Bros. famously replaced original director Zack Snyder with Joss Whedon after Snyder had to step away from production due to the tragic death of his daughter. Snyder later estimated that Whedon's extensive reshoots introduced approximately 60 new pages of material, ultimately leading to a critically panned and commercially disappointing outcome for the studio.

The troubled production was further marred by serious accusations against Whedon, with "Justice League" actress Gal Gadot alleging that he threatened her on set, claims which Whedon has denied. Affleck himself recounted the profoundly negative atmosphere surrounding the experience, attributing it to a confluence of factors, including his own personal struggles at the time—such as an increase in his drinking and his divorce—as well as the studio's contentious relationship with the filmmaker. "I saw how not to make a movie like that, which is where the studio is at odds with the filmmaker. You are really making a mistake," Affleck stated, reflecting on the profound dysfunction he observed.

Affleck expressed immense satisfaction and gratitude that Zack Snyder eventually had the opportunity to release his original vision, the "Snyder Cut," calling it "fucking great" and reiterating his happiness for Snyder. He further condemned the manner in which Snyder was removed from the film and how his daughter's death was perceived to be "used as an excuse" for the directorial change, labeling it "one of the shittiest things I’ve ever seen" and "so gross." The actor previously conveyed to Entertainment Weekly that "Justice League" was a "nadir experience" that prompted his decision to step away from playing Batman, stating, "I didn’t like being there. I didn’t think it was interesting. And then some really shitty things, awful things happened. But, that’s when I was like, I’m not going to do that anymore."

In a separate revelation during the same "Happy Sad Confused" interview, Affleck confirmed that Lucasfilm had approached him with an offer to direct "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." While he was unsure if he was the studio's primary choice or if discussions were simultaneously occurring with eventual director J.J. Abrams, Affleck ultimately declined the prestigious offer. He explained his decision by stating, "I like ‘Star Wars’ and I’m a fan, but I’m not the person to direct this movie." Affleck articulated his belief that someone else with a deeper passion for the franchise would perform a superior job, acknowledging the significant challenges involved in revitalizing the iconic "Star Wars" universe and navigating its passionate fan base. His rationale centered on his desire to only direct projects he felt he could be "really really proud of," a standard he believed he couldn't meet for "The Force Awakens."